The Hindu : Kerala News : On right school, right age

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 18, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

On right school, right age

The rainy season has begun. Theschools will reopen shortly. And the little ones are busy with their preparation to go to school. New school bags, water bottles, uniforms have to be purchased. The parents are full of anxiety regarding the selection of schools for their children.

Many think that school is a place where the child learns to ready, write, do arithmetic and memorise facts about geography, history and science. Wrong. It is much more than this. A school is not just a place where the child learns theses subjects. It is also a place where he learns to get on with people and thus prepares for adult life.

Going to school, for children, is the first experience outside their home. The child begins to be part of a group outside his family. School forms a very important part in the character building of a child. Experience in the school is wide and varied. The child comes to contact with children of different religions, beliefs and values. If we are from an affluent society, our child will not know how to cope with certain situations in life, which he can learn from his friends in school who come from middle class and economically disadvantaged background. Schools are the building blocks of your child's future. A strong foundation is a must.

Now about the selection of pre-school. Make enquiries about the school first. The qualification of teachers, their attitude, whether there is sufficient play equipment in the school etc. Moreover ask the parents of previous students about their opinion regarding the school.

Parents sometimes debate about sending their children to a boarding school. In early years, the child needs the warmth and security of being with his family.

Children who are difficult to manage at home or undisciplined are often sent to a boarding school with the intention of reforming them. This is not correct, because the child takes it as a punishment, develops further hostility or guilt feelings. They distance themselves further from the family and may have adjustment problems later. So it is definitely better to send your little one to a school in your neighbourhood.

Early childhood is the ideal age to learn skills. The 'absorbent mind' is at its peak during the pre-school years. Children under six are innately curious and need to explore and discover. They are keenly attuned to everything that stimulates their senses and do most of their learning by touching and manipulating the objects around them. The first six years of a child's life are critical for his development since the rate of development particularly intellectual development - is the most rapid during these years. Therefore, activities which stimulate these developments are to be provided during this period. At home it is not possible to provide different types of activities systematically. Hence the duty of the parent to select the right school at the right age itself.

Dr.A.Nirmala

Principal & Child Psychologist

Shanthiniketan School

Vazhuthacaud

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